2014-15 breeding season update

Helmeted Honeyeater collecting nesting material - image B.Tardif

It's looking positive for the 2014-15 breeding season
Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve is home to the last remaining wild population of Helmeted Honeyeaters - in the world! Each bird is precious.

In the 2013-14 breeding season (Aug'13-Feb'14), 36 Helmeted Honeyeater young were raised at Yellingbo. A bumper year!

The 2014-15 breeding season is heading the same way. At the beginning of November 2014 we know of:

• 26 fledglings
• 3 females on egg/s
• 1 female building nest
• 1 female on nestling/s

There are a number of new pairings this year, including females who are breeding for the first time. How good is that?

Do you live in Melbourne, Victoria? Would you like to be part of the volunteer team that monitors the Helmeted Honeyeater populations at Yellingbo? Most volunteers contribute a minimum of 4-5 hrs one day a month. Our rosters operate 7 days p/wk, 365 days p/yr. Contact us for further details.

Aussie backyard bird count, 20-26 October

Australian King-Parrot - image B.Tardif

Join thousands of people between 20 — 26 October to take part in the Aussie Backyard Bird Count — BirdLife Australia’s first nationwide bird survey. All it takes is 20 minutes in your backyard, or favourite outdoor space, local park, beach, forest or paddock, to be a part of this exciting event!

Find out more here

18 Helmeted Honeyeaters released into Yellingbo

18 Helmeted Honeyeaters bred at Healesville Sanctuary were released into Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve recently; 5 on 17/9/14 and 13 on 25/9/14.

They join 90+ Helmeted Honeyeaters, plus 9 current fledglings from the 2014-15 breeding season.

Unbanded Helmeted Honeyeater - image B.Tardif

Colour leg bands, Helmeted Honeyeater - image B.Tardif

Do you live next door to Yellingbo NCR or Bunyip State Park? You may see Helmeted Honeyeaters on your property. If you do, please let us know.

Taking a photo is a great way to help us identify the bird you see. Does it have coloured bands? is it unbanded? Check out the images to see what we mean - the bands are on the legs.

Contact us here.

Would that be a LBP or a Sugar Glider?

Lowland Leadbeaters Possum - remote camera image

Lowland Leadbeaters Possums (LBPs) are critically endangered - only 40-60 remain in the wild and they are only known to exist at Yellingbo. They occupy the same habitat as Helmeted Honeyeaters at Yellingbo, as evidenced here, captured on a remote camera in June 2014.

Sugar Gliders are a similar size, and also live within Yellingbo NCR.

Sugar Glider - remote camera image

How can you tell the difference? Check out the tails. LBP's have club shaped tails (narrower at the base where it meets the body, and thinner at the tip of the tail). Sugar Gliders' tails are widest where it joins it's body and thinner at the end.

6 nests nearing completion

The 2014-15 breeding season is on the go. 6 nests are nearly complete at Yellingbo, with more in the early stages of building.
An early season nest, mid July!, was abandoned around the same time the male partner went missing. The female has repaired and is building another nest. Fingers crossed for this one.

What happens beyond the locked gates?

What goes on beyond the locked Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve gates? 

Does it really matter if one species goes extinct?

Come and find out - Wed 20 Aug 2014

Helmeted Honeyeater - image B.Tardif

Spotted Pardalote - image B.Tardif

The Helmeted Honeyeater Recovery Program, Friends of the Helmeted Honeyeater, Zoos Victoria and BirdLife Australia’s Threatened Bird Network are holding a workshop where you can learn more about the critically endangered Helmeted Honeyeater. Find out what you can do to assist with the Helmeted Honeyeaters recovery and how the work undertaken also protects many other threatened species that co-exist with it. 

When: Wednesday 20 August 2014

Where: 1217 Macclesfield Road, Yellingbo (Melway ref: 305 G11)

Times: 10.00am (for a 10.30 start) to 3.00pm (including 1.30-3.00 for planting Helmeted Honeyeater habitat)

           Morning tea and lunch provided (please RSVP so we can cater accordingly)

Bring along: binoculars and gumboots if you have them and hat/sunscreen/raincoat 

RSVP: Limited places available. Please RSVP by Wednesday 13 August 2014, to Meg Cullen, BirdLife Australia, meghan.cullen@birdlife.org.au

2013-14 breeding season update

36 fledglings are currently being observed at Yellingbo NCR. A bumper season.

Are you looking for volunteer involvement in a threatened species program?

We currently have gaps in the 365 day p/yr supplementary feeding and monitoring roster.

Training and support provided. Would you like to find out more about what's involved? Contact Sue

Not everyone can contribute time. Members are our life blood. Download our membership/donation form here.